LCBO Food & Drink Summer 2017

SUMMER Summer in Canada is always cause for celebration, but this year is special. There will be 150th birthday parties all across this wonderful country—andmany a glass raised to toast how lucky we are to live here. We have some entertaining ideas that we hope will inspire, starting with a bouquet of cosmopolitan recipes for a Canada Day block party— which will work just as beautifully for a family gathering. We also have a collection of red and white dishes, prompted by our flag (patriotism has rarely tasted so good!). And, to round off our exploration of home­ grown excellence, read on for our story that looks at the best places to eat, drink, stay and shop from one end of the country to the other. Sticking to our own backyards, may we offer an article written in honour of our national pastime—the barbecue. You’ll find it a useful compendium of up-to-date tips, trends and recipes for the grill, sharing the know-how for grilling anything from seafood to salads. And talking of trends, vodka is back in the limelight, with fascinating new spirits made frommany different grains—and some other, more exotic beginnings. We offer a primer on the best way to stage a vodka- tasting party that explores the nuances of the spirit. Light and bright! It’s summertime and the sun is shining—happy birthday, Canada!

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES TSE

72 NEIGHBOURHOOD FEAST | 80 TRUE COLOURS | 86 OH CANADA! 94 CLEAR CHOICES | 100 HOT OFF THE GRILL